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Craig Thomson (referee)

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Craig Alexander Thomson (born 20 June 1972[1]) is a Scottish football referee, who has been a match official since 1988.[2] He originates from Paisley, Renfrewshire.[3]

Craig Thomson
Thomson in yellow (left).
Full name Craig Thomson
Born (1972-06-20) 20 June 1972 (age 52)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Other occupation Solicitor
Domestic
Years League Role
1988- Scottish Football Association Referee
2000-2002 Scottish Football League Referee
2002- Scottish Premier League Referee
International
Years League Role
2003- FIFA listed Referee

Career

He has officiated in the Scottish Premier League since 2002, and his first match in charge in that League was the fixture between St. Johnstone and Hibernian on May 12, 2002, which Hibs won 1–0.[4]

Thomson has been a FIFA referee since 2003.[1] His first International match for FIFA was the 4–1 defeat of Northern Ireland by Norway at Windsor Park, Belfast, on February 18, 2004.[5] His next most notable match abroad was the 2006 World Cup qualifying match between the Faroe Islands and France in group four on September 8, 2004, when he sent off Patrick Vieira during a 2–0 win for the French.[6]

Domestically, he handled the 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final between Ross County and Clyde at McDiarmid Park on November 12, which County won on penalties after extra-time ended 1–1.[7]

He was selected to referee during the UEFA Under-21 Championship 2007, held in Holland.[2] This included him issuing a second yellow card to Belgium's Marouane Fellaini in the 18th minute of their group A match against Israel on June 13 in the Abe Lenstra Stadion. Belgium managed to win 1–0, despite the dismissal.[8] He was not appointed to referee any other games in the Championship.

Thomson appeared as a fourth official at Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria.[9]

Thomson took charge of the 2009 Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Falkirk. In the 2010 Scottish League Cup Final between Rangers and St. Mirren Thomson sent off two Rangers players Danny Wilson and Kevin Thomson.[10] Other high profile matches include a friendly between France and Spain on 3 March 2010 as well as a number of Old Firm matches.

On 12 October 2010, Thomson abandoned the Italy vs Serbia UEFA Euro 2012 qualification match after seven minutes of play due to crowd disorder.[11] Italy was later awarded a 3-0 victory by UEFA for the forfeit.[11] The following month, Real Madrid players Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso appeared to deliberately incur second yellow cards from Thomson in a UEFA Champions League match, thereby serving a suspension in a meaningless encounter with Auxerre.[12] Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho denied that the players had sought to be sent off, and criticised Thomson's performance.[13]

In the 2011 Scottish League Cup Final, Thomson awarded Rangers a penalty kick, but then changed his decision.[14] Rangers manager Walter Smith described this course of action as "dangerous".[14] In the final Old Firm match of the 2010–11 season, Thomson awarded Celtic a penalty with seven minutes remaining, which was saved by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.[15]

In 2011, Thomson was criticised[by whom?] for his refereeing of a France v Bosnia UEFA Euro 2012 qualification match.[citation needed] With Bosnia requiring a win to qualify for Euro 2012 and leading 1–0, Thomson awarded France a penalty kick.[16] Video evidence indicated that the offence was outwith the penalty area.[16] He also sent off a Bosnian player and booked others when video footage showed there was no contact.[citation needed] Bosnia also claimed they should have been awarded a penalty kick.[citation needed]

On 8 March 2012, whilst refereeing a third round, first leg Europa League tie between Twente Enschede and Schalke 04 at the De Grolsch Veste stadium, Thomson awarded a contentious penalty to the Dutch side when striker Luuk de Jong went down outside the box with Joel Matip in pursuit.[citation needed] Replays confirmed Matip, who was sent off, had not touched De Jong, who seemed to clip his own heels.[citation needed] De Jong scored the penalty to give Twente a slight lead to take to Germany.[17]

Thomson was appointed for the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, which was won 5–1 by Hearts against their Edinburgh derby rivals Hibs.[18] Thomson awarded a penalty kick for Hearts for an offence that appeared to be committed outside the penalty area.[18] Hibs forward Leigh Griffiths criticised Thomson for his performance.[19]

Thomson was selected in December 2011 for UEFA Euro 2012.[20] He took charge of the group stage matches Portugal versus Denmark, and Czech Republic versus Poland.

Life outside football

Thomson is currently a solicitor who specifies in construction and engineering law.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b Referee profile at the Scottish Football Association website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Date Thomson first took up refereeing, also matches or appointments in more detail: the Scottish Football Association website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.
  3. ^ Home town, Paisley: match report at the Dunfermline Athletic website. Retrieved on December 20, 2007.
  4. ^ First Scottish Premier match: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.
  5. ^ First International match: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.
  6. ^ Faroe Islands v. France, 2006 World Cup qualifying match, September 8, 2004: ESPNsoccernet website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.
  7. ^ Scottish Challenge Cup Final, 2006: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.
  8. ^ Belgium v. Israel, UEFA Under-21 Championship 2007, June 13: ESPNsoccernet website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.
  9. ^ Fourth official duties, Euro 2008: UEFA.com website. Retrieved on December 20, 2007.
  10. ^ "Kenny Miller sees nine-man Rangers through to victory". The Guardian. March 21, 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Italy-Serbia Euro 2012 tie abandoned after fan trouble". BBC Website. October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  12. ^ "Champions League round-up: Mourinho denies red card plot". BBC Sport. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  13. ^ "Jose Mourinho unimpressed by Scottish referee". The Independent. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  14. ^ a b "Rangers manager critical of referee Thomson after 'dangerous' decision to rescind penalty". The Herald. March 21, 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  15. ^ "Rangers 0 - 0 Celtic". BBC. April 24, 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Controversial refereeing call helps France qualify again, but they will underperform at Euro 2012 unless they improve massively". Goal.com. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Twente benefit from ref gaffe". ESPN. March 8, 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  18. ^ a b Campbell, Andy (19 May 2012). "Hibernian 1–5 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  19. ^ Lindsay, Clive (19 May 2012). "Hibs' Leigh Griffiths blasts referee Craig Thomson and Suso". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  20. ^ "Referees Howard Webb & Craig Thomson earn Euro 2012 roles". BBC. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  21. ^ Professional profile: Maclay, Murray and Spens LLC website. Retrieved on June 16, 2007.

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